What Water Should I Use in a Garment Steamer?
Short answer
Check your steamer’s manual first. Many garment steamers are built for ordinary tap water, but if your water is hard, its minerals build up as scale that clogs the steam head and causes spitting. In that case Philips recommends demineralized or distilled water, or a 50/50 mix with tap water. Deionized water is a demineralized water. Never add perfume, vinegar or starch to the tank.
Why the water in a garment steamer matters
A steamer boils water and pushes the vapor out through a small head. The water leaves as steam, but whatever was dissolved in it stays behind. Hard water carries calcium and magnesium (USGS), and as it boils off, those minerals build up as scale inside the tank, heater and hose. Rowenta puts it simply: heat concentrates the elements contained in water during evaporation, and that can cause spitting, brown staining or early wear (Rowenta).
What steamer brands say
| Brand | Recommended water | Don’t use |
|---|---|---|
| Philips | Tap water; in hard-water areas, distilled or demineralized water, or 50% demineralized mixed with tap | Perfumed water, tumble dryer water, vinegar, starch, descaling agents, ironing aids |
| Rowenta (garment steamer) | Untreated tap water; if very hard, 50% tap and 50% distilled | Dryer water, scented or softened water, rain water, boiled, filtered or bottled water |
| Tefal (handheld steamer) | Untreated tap water; if very hard, 50% tap and 50% distilled | Same list as Rowenta, plus descaling chemicals or additives in the tank |
Sources: Philips, Rowenta, Tefal. The brands don’t all agree, so your own manual is the final word. If it names a water type, use that one.
Is tap water OK in a clothes steamer?
Often, yes, if your water is soft. The trouble starts with hard water. Signs that minerals are building up: white flakes in the tank, weaker steam, sputtering or spitting, and wet spots or brown marks on clothes. Your water utility’s annual water quality report lists hardness, and the USGS calls water above 121 mg/L (as calcium carbonate) hard and above 180 mg/L very hard (USGS).
Deionized vs distilled water in a steamer
Both are low in the minerals that form scale. Distilled water is boiled and condensed. Deionized water runs through ion-exchange resin that removes dissolved minerals, which is why it’s also called demineralized water, the type Philips names for hard-water areas (Philips). If your manual asks for a 50/50 mix, mix deionized water with tap water the same way. Softened water is different: a softener swaps calcium for sodium, and Rowenta and Tefal list softened water as one not to use.
What never to put in the tank
- Scented water, essential oils or fragrance. Philips suggests spraying a scented water on clothes after steaming instead.
- Vinegar, starch, descaler or ironing aids, unless your manual’s cleaning steps call for them.
- Water from a clothes dryer, air conditioner or refrigerator, and rain water. These can carry residue and debris (Tefal).
Keep your steamer flowing
- Empty the tank after each use so water doesn’t sit and leave deposits.
- Follow your manual’s cleaning or descaling steps when steam slows down.
- Switch to deionized water, or a 50/50 mix if that’s what your manual allows, if you have hard water.
Which Renew Labs size fits?
For an occasional touch-up, Renew Labs Steam Iron & Garment Steamer Water, 1 liter is enough. If you steam every week, the 1 gallon or 2-pack lasts longer. For a light scent, spray Linen Ironing Water, Lavender on clothes after steaming, not in the tank. Shop Steam Iron & Humidifier Water, or read our steam iron water guide, deionized water in a steam iron, how to make linen water and deionized water guide.
Renew Labs water is sold for household, automotive, garden and hobby uses and is not for drinking.
Related questions
Do you have to use distilled water in a garment steamer?
No, not for most models. Philips, Rowenta and Tefal design their steamers for tap water and suggest distilled or demineralized water, or a 50/50 mix, when tap water is hard (Philips, Rowenta). Check your manual.
Can I use bottled water in my clothes steamer?
It depends on the water. Bottled spring or mineral water still has dissolved minerals, and Rowenta lists bottled water as a type not to use (Rowenta). Deionized water has its minerals removed, so it’s the demineralized water Philips recommends for hard-water areas.
Why is my garment steamer spitting water?
Common causes are scale from hard water, additives in the tank, or using the steamer before it’s fully heated. Rowenta and Tefal list descaling chemicals and additives in the tank as a cause of spitting and brown drips (Tefal).
Can I put essential oils in my steamer?
No. Fragrance and oils can stain clothes and damage the steamer. Steam first, then spray a scented linen water on the garment.
Shop Renew Labs deionized water
Made in Houston, Texas, and packed for the job you need it for.
Sources
Researcher resources
- Shop Bacteriostatic and Sterile Water
- View Our Certificate of Analysis
- Free Reconstitution Calculator
- Compare BAC Water Products
Keep reading
- What Is a Beyond-Use Date (BUD)?
- Can You Use Tap Water in an Ultrasonic Diffuser?
- What Is ICP-MS Testing?
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